Solar lights can achieve magical effects with landscaping, as well as good basic lighting for functional purposes. The best solar lighting can be a real art form, with terrific effects. If you’ve got good solar panels, there’s no limit to what you can do with your landscape lighting.
Landscaping creates a whole range of features which can be highlighted in many different ways. You can have a lot of fun experimenting with different lighting arrangements, and be prepared to be startled by what’s possible. The combination of light and shadows can produce a whole new landscape at night.
Solar lighting choices
The typical all purpose solar stake lights are definitely the cheapest, and often the most appropriate, choice of lights wherever you need them. They’re also good for highlighting hazards at night, and things like making keyholes more visible after long nights and good food.
The novelty and designer lights are another thing altogether. Some of these lights are brilliant and very well designed. Others are in the “garden gnome” category, definitely not everyone’s taste. More to the point in a practical sense, they also can’t be put everywhere, and the designs can actually block light. They light themselves up quite well, but nothing else.
It’s advisable to be cautious with your solar light buying. In terms of value for the money, be picky, because this is an emerging market, with a lot of good new designs coming onstream every day. The only exception to this rule is when you need heavy duty lighting, where it’s definitely worth spending money on quality; particularly the bigger lights. The big, powerful lights are perfect for practically any purpose, and fabulous as pool party or al fresco dining lights. If you were wondering where the incredible lighting in some movies comes from, it’s from lights like these.
Aesthetic lighting options
The different types of solar lighting are almost theatrical, but better in a good landscape:
Backlighting: Lights behind features produce extraordinary effects. Trees and branches achieve an almost Japanese/Chinese effect. Behind bamboo, the lighting looks like a good pen and ink drawing. The light produces strong contrasts, creating the effect. Backlighting also doesn’t intrude on moonlight, so you can get the best of both effects.
Spots: Baby spots are perfect for night settings. They’re also easy to set up, with minimal effort, so you can really work with different options. Solar spot lights can be used to highlight specific sites, as well as security lighting for video cameras and with sensor triggers.
Water features: If you have a great water feature, like a lotus pool, with big plants and multi colored foliage, you can achieve a fantastic effect with solar lighting. Whether you use high power lights or the demure, soft lights, you’ll get a rainbow at night, complete with full colors. The water reacts well to these lights – an added effect.
Solar lights and reflective surfaces: If you’ve got good stone or building faces, they’ll act as great foils for your lights, softening and toning them. More color effects, and a beautiful palette when you’re lighting natural stone.
These are, of course, but a few different ways to be creative. You can find other ideas in our Easy Solar Lights Projects article. We also have a great article on making sure you are getting the right light for the job at How to Choose Outdoor Solar Lights. Grab your solar lights, and have a ball!
